Page:The Heimskringla; or, Chronicle of the Kings of Norway Vol 2.djvu/271

 KINGS OF NORWAY. 2G3 Raud's sons appeared to him to have committed these SA(A yii thefts. A messenger was sent for Raud's sons ; and when they appeared before the king he said they had not at all the appearance of thieves, and acquitted them. Thereupon they invited the king, with all his retinue, to a three days' entertainment at their father's; and although Biorn dissuaded him from it, the king went. At Raud's there was a very excellent feast. The king asked Raud what people he and his wife were. Raud answered that he was originally a Swedish man, rich, and of high birth ; " but I ran away with the wife I have ever since had, and she is a sister of King Ring Dagsson." The king then remembered both their families. He found that father and sons were men of understanding, and asked them what they could do. Sigurd said he could interpret dreams, and de- termine the time of the day although no heavenly bodies could be seen. The king made trial of his art, and found it was as Sigurd had said. Dag stated, as his accomplishment, that he could see the misdeeds and vices of every man who came under his eye, when he chose to observe him closely. The king told him to declare what faults of disposition he saw in the king himself. Dag mentioned a fault which the king was sensible he really had. Then the king asked wmat fault the bailiff Biorn had. Dag said Biorn was a thief ; and told also where Biorn had concealed on his farm the bones, horns, and hides of the cattle he had stolen in autumn; " for he committed," said Dag, " all the thefts in autumn which he accuses other people of." Dag also told the king the places where the king should go after leaving them. When the king de- parted from Raud's house he was accompanied on the way, and presented with friendly gifts ; and Raud's sons remained with the king. The king went first to Biorn's, and found there that all Dag had told him was true. Upon which he drove Biorn out of the s 4